How the scheme is used
Rural Wheels provides door to door transport for people who do not have, or are unable to access scheduled transport or have a volunteer driver available.
It can be used for a variety of purposes such as:
- attending doctor, dentist or opticians appointments
- shopping
- visiting people in hospital
- visiting friends
Transport is provided by operators who may have availability between other work for the council. Every effort will be made to provide transport, however, there may be occasions when this is not possible.
The scheme does not duplicate other council transport provisions and therefore cannot be used for transport to day care, school, nursery or college and cannot be used for hospital appointments or treatment, if patient transport is available.
After you have registered you can use:
Transport to hospital appointment
If you need transport to get you to your hospital appointment please check your eligibility for Patient Transport by contacting the Patient Transport Service run by North West Ambulance
Patient Transport Service
Telephone: 0800 032 3240
Who can register
Anyone living in the designated area can join the scheme.
Children and young people under 18 can only travel if accompanied by an adult.
Places that are not eligible for the scheme
Carlisle City centre:
- Belah Ward
- Stanwix Urban Ward
- Castle Ward
- Belle Vue Ward
- Yewdale Ward
- Morton Ward
- Denton Holme Ward
- St Aidans Ward
- Botcherby Ward
- Currock Ward
- Upperby Ward
- Harraby Ward
Allerdale area:
- Maryport town
- Workington town
Whitehaven town:
- Bleachgreen
- Bransty
- Harras
- Hensigham
- Mirehouse
- Woodhouse
- Kells
How to register
Fill in the registration form.
Post this application to:
The Rural Wheels Service
Cumbria House 107-117
Botchergate
Carlisle
CA1 1RD
How to book your Rural Wheels journey
Journeys can be booked up to two weeks in advance, and must not be booked later than 12pm the day before you travel.
Transport is available Monday to Saturday between 8.30am and 6pm.
All journeys must be booked by phone which is available Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays, 9am and 12pm.
Telephone: 01228 226430
You may use the service for up to two return journeys a week. We will ask you questions when you make your booking.
The purpose of these are to:
- determine if the journey request is eligible
- check if all or part of the journey could be made by public transport
- check if you have any other transport options
- arrange your journey and select the appropriate operator
How to pay for journeys
The Smartcards have been phased out and payments will instead be made by phone at the time of booking.
Transport will be charged at the subsidised rate of 45 pence per mile.
Children under five travel for free. Children between 5 and 18 will be charged at the cost of 25 pence per mile, which will be deducted from the adult’s card.
Passengers sharing transport will benefit from a reduced rate of 25 pence per mile.
Passengers living more than 10 miles from their nearest town will be charged a maximum rate of £4.50 per single journey.
If you'e a private hire or Hackney Carriage licence holder
If you would like to know more about becoming a Rural Wheels Operator, contact the Rural Wheels Officer.
Telephone: 01228 226430
Email: integrated.transport@cumberland.gov.uk